Measure the 'water footprint' in the wine.
News - July 15, 2011Some of us are already familiar with the concept of 'carbon footprint', but clean air is not the only resource that affects the production of wine. So the house Chilean Concha y Toro, Chile Foundation along with the Water Footprint Network and have been given the task of measuring the impact on water use that has this giant Chilean wine production, with good results, we have to say.
Press release.
Source: Concha y Toro.
After starting last year to measure their water footprint, in partnership with Fundación Chile and Water Footprint Network , the results obtained indicate that Concha y Toro uses 40% less water than the average estimate of the global industry to produce a glass of wine. And while it becomes the first winery in the world to measure their water footprint methodology under the Water Footprint Network, the most comprehensive and prestigious in the industry and which may serve as a model and frame of reference for other vines also can measure it.
Water Footprint: Total volume of fresh water that is used directly or indirectly to run and sustain a business. It consists of the operational footprint (direct) and the footprint of the supply chain (indirect).
These earnings are very important as Concha y Toro recorded a trace of water less than the estimated averages in selected areas and regions of France, Argentina, Australia, Italy, USA and Spain (*). Besides measuring the water footprint of Concha y Toro was the first initiative of the wine industry in the world performed under the methodology used by Water Footprint Network and the technical assistance provided by Fundación Chile, who attended the vine in this development.
It is also possible to identify the stages of the production process where the older traces of water: 92% is in the stage production of grapes and 8% in the winemaking and bottling. Since the company has 87% of the productive area of the vineyards of Concha y Toro drip irrigation, this condition ensures a high degree of resource efficiency and the company is projected to continue to improve in the future sustainable use of water as it aims to progressively increase the area irrigated by drip. The measurement also showed that 97% of the water footprint of Concha y Toro is caused in Chilean territory and 90% of it can be classified with a high to medium degree of management by the company (grape production and operations own). It is planned to continue annually with its measurement, implementing improvements and recommendations arising from the process.
Juan Ramón Candia, Manager of Water and Environment Foundation Chile, the organization responsible for measuring, points out that "experience at Concha y Toro is the first measurement of the Water Footprint in the world made in the wine sector. I think this will carry the wine industry in Chile in terms of sustainability with a strong signal to the markets. Fundacion Chile, this experience has allowed us to deepen and strengthen our knowledge, in addition to a thorough review of the methodology to identify their strengths and weaknesses in its future application in other industries. "
Meanwhile, Christopher Goycoolea, Sustainable Development Manager Concha y Toro said, "This first calculation of corporate water footprint of Concha y Toro is a further sign of the strength and seriousness of our commitment to substances designed to preserve the natural environment and its resources and a new step in our strategy for sustainable development of the vineyard. And the kick in the development of an integrated water resources management in the company. "
(*) Data reference, since the calculations delivered by the study are averages and the value of S & T is a detailed calculation).
Scope of the study of the water footprint of Concha y Toro
1. Direct operational water footprint (winemaking and bottling operations).
2. Head Over operational footprint (water footprint of energy).
3. Water Footprint Supply Chain (considering the traces of water in the grapes, jelly, barrels, bottles, corks, capsules and cartons).
The study considered bottling plants Pirque, Vespucci and Lo Espejo and Wineries of New Aurora, Puente Alto, Vespucci, Cachapoal Peralillo, Lourdes, Lontué, Las Mercedes, San Javier Curicó and agricultural operations and Concha y Toro 38 vineyards spread over the major wine regions of the country.
Some Links:
-
4
If it is interesting to see the concern of the authorities. You know the Iphone application on-line warehouse club Torres? I recommend it to wine lovers. Many interesting information to people with knowledge.
Thanks Pepe! Torres is also one of the pioneering wineries in the care of the environment. In Spain all its sales and distribution fleet is electric or hybrid, and understand that their work holds good percentage in renewable energy. A Miguel Torres has even already dubbed the 'Al Gore' wine. Greetings!
It is interesting to see how organizations are already worried about the water, well I hope this has a domino effect soon, because our focus is on appeal yellow.
regards
Yes, and in regions com Valle de Guadalupe (Mexico) is crucial for the survival of the industry. Greetings.